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Support Tourism, Support ShelterBox

ShelterBox is a UK charity that was founded in 2000 who have helped over 1m worldwide rebuild their lives and get communities back on their feet.

22 March 2017

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“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” – Mark Twain

What does travel mean for tourists?

For many, travel has an allure, a seductive quality. It is a sure-fire way to broaden and develop one’s mind, tastes and sense of humanity. And to break out of the every day and sample different cultures is an extraordinary thing in itself, but what’s even more incredible is the impact tourism has on local communities.

How does tourism impact local communities?

There are many different ways travel and tourism contributes to and supports local communities and the economy as a whole. Not only does it generate more money and jobs through airlines, accommodation, museums and landmarks, it also has an affect on local businesses, such as cafés, restaurants, bars and shops. If an area has a lot of tourism, the more likely it is that governments will invest in those areas too.

Take London as an example; it is ordinarily a desirable location for tourists and travellers, but the 2012 Olympics attracted a staggering 2.9 million overseas visitors to Britain, who parted with a whopping £1.84 billion. Government and Olympic Committee funding also helped regenerate pockets of East London, where the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was created.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, travel and tourism currently creates 292 million jobs. That’s 1 in 10 jobs across the world. It also contributes 10.2% of world GDP, equating to US $7.6 trillion.

From a personal and societal perspective, then, travel and tourism has a huge positive impact on local communities and the region as a whole.

But what happens when a region is hit by a natural disaster or man-made conflict? Safety and vigilance should be paramount as we travel the world, but, once the initial danger has passed, we can support those on the ground providing immediate relief and commit to returning to these regions as tourists as quickly as possible. Fear limits our worldview, denying us the rich and joyous experiences made possible through travel.

Read on for how one organisation is making a difference.

The effects of natural disaster and war

Studies have shown there are now more than 60 million people across the world who are forced from their homes due to natural disasters or conflict, making it the largest figure since World War II.

Of course, it is not just local businesses or even corporate companies that take a hit in such events. Ordinary people suffer, as they lose their homes, their livelihood, or worse, their lives. Disasters and wars also take their toll on culture, as heritage sites, whole towns and cities are destroyed or reduced to rubble. Traditions are outlawed and people are suppressed. Tourists no longer visit, steering well clear of such areas.

And while it is understandable, there’s no denying the impact this has on areas once bustling with travellers and adventurers.

How can you support affected areas?

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that was founded in the UK in 2000. Since then, they have helped over 1million people worldwide rebuild their lives and get their communities back on their feet. Tailoring their ShelterKits according to each region, ShelterBox deliver family-sized tents designed to withstand the elements, water filtration systems and essential tools for repairs.

“Talk to anyone who doesn’t have shelter and the answer is simple. Shelter is more than just a roof, it’s a home. It’s the foundation for life, for families, for communities.

Homes might be different around the world, taking anything from a few days to many years to complete, but they all have similarities. They are made with hard work, hard-earned savings and dedication. When natural disasters and conflicts rob people of their homes, we can’t wave a magic wand to replace what was lost, but we can help. ShelterBox provides people with the tools to start the process of their own recovery.”

In addition, they send out SchoolBoxes for children so their education is not disrupted. The boxes include fundamental resources to ensure they can get classrooms up and running promptly. Working with local communities and partner agencies, ShelterBox aims to provide stronger, resilient and sustainable shelter that can be delivered to crises zones as quickly as possible.

Whilst visiting Pakistan in 2006, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and The Prince of Wales learnt about the work that ShelterBox carried out after the Kashmiri earthquake. The Duchess is now the charity’s President and Royal Patron.

ShelterBox is funded solely by public donations; it receives no EU or UK Government funding.

ShelterBox in Ecuador

What happened?

On 16th April 2016, a 7.8 earthquake struck Ecuador

659 people killed, 28,000 people injured

Felt as far away as Colombia and Peru

In the next 24hrs, over 55 aftershocks followed

Who was affected?

“I could only lie on the ground in pain and watch as my house crumbled to the ground.”

Maria Bele Artiaga was watching TV alone at her home on the outskirts of Guayabo in the Portoviejo province. As the earthquake hit, she was thrown to the floor by the impact. The fridge flew across the room and landed on her legs, crushing her and pinning her to the ground. She somehow managed to pull herself to her neighbour, who was crying out for help. Having previously been affected by a hurricane in Venezuela, this was the second time she had lost her home to a natural disaster.

What ShelterBox did

Whilst surveying the more rural communities of the region, ShelterBox response team members, Jonathan Berg and Celine Chea discovered and helped Maria. They both also helped distribute essential care packages to those affected by the earthquake, including tarpaulins, mosquito nets, blankets and water filtration. ShelterBox assisted almost 3,000 families in Ecuador throughout this time.

ShelterBox in Fiji

What happened?

On the 20th and 21st February 2016, Cyclone Winston hit the South Pacific

Over 40 people killed and an estimated 24,000 homes damaged or destroyed

Biggest response ever to a storm disaster in the South Pacific

Fiji Government declared a state of natural disaster, calling out for international aid

Lack of clean water, medical supplies and shelter

Who was affected?

“I’m so happy to have a tent, to have a safe place of our own to sleep.”

Baby Yokimi, just three months old when Cyclone Winston hit, and her mother Diane were left homeless and without possessions. They lived in the community centre for six weeks and were then able to move into a ShelterBox-provided family-sized tent, with kitchen utensils, solar lights and a water filter.

What ShelterBox did

Working with a range of partner organisations, ShelterBox helped identify the urgent needs of the Fijian islands. Not only did they deliver ShelterBoxes to Makogai Island, Viwa, Bitiki, Kubulau and Taveuni, ShelterBox continued to assess the needs of different regions and help deliver aid as effectively as possible.

ShelterBox in the Philippines

What happened?

On 8th November 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines

14million people faced its fury

Over 6,000 people lost their lives

Over 1million homes lay damaged or destroyed

3.4million people displaced and homeless

Who was affected?

82-year-old Valentin Acra, the second oldest person in the island village of Binaly, and his wife Mercedes lost their home to Typhoon Melor during Christmas 2015. Having received many weather warnings in the past, the couple ignored these caution. When their roof started caving, they fled to a local primary school, where some 400 people were crammed. While, miraculously, none of the villagers died, no home escaped damage and Valentin and Mercedes lost all their possessions.

What ShelterBox did

Responding to over 20 disasters in the Philippines within the space of 6 years, ShelterBox launched one of their largest responses to date when Super Typhoon Haiyan hit. In their pioneering programme, they embarked on 4 construction projects in the Philippines in partnership with international agencies to provide more than 8,000 people with safe, durable homes. They also helped teach the wider community how to build, so they could better withstand the forces of nature thereafter.

ShelterBox in Sri Lanka

What happened?

On 14th May 2016, Sri Lanka was affected by the most concentrated rainfall for 25 years

In 24 hours, areas including the capital of Colombo were flooded by a record 135mm

Landslides and mudslides across the country meant loss of homes, livestock and livelihoods

It is estimated that 200,000 people were displaced

Who was affected?

ShelterBox volunteer, Steven Tonkinson, recalls the moment 13-year-old Mohamed Rizvi Ahmed Rifadh and his friends came over to the field:

“Right away they wanted to help and Rifadh, being the leader, put his buddies into action whenever we needed assistance.”

What ShelterBox did

Working with international and local agencies, ShelterBox provided tents and aid to 126 families across 6 different camps. They worked relentlessly, levelling the land and draining the flood waters so that the area was safe to pitch up.

ShelterBox in Italy

What happened?

In 2009 the Italian region of Abruzzo was struck by a 6.3 earthquake that killed 300 people

Then again, in 2012, Italy was struck by a 6.0 quake

What ShelterBox did

ShelterBox deployed 294 aid boxes to local communities following the 2009 quake. Employee, Clio Gressani, assisted with translation, cultural understanding and speeding up deployments.She described the scene:

“I was taken aback by the contrast of the scenes that met me: the bright, beautiful sunshine and luscious green trees, a perfect summer’s day against the rubble and devastation caused by the quake.”

How to show your support

The work that ShelterBox carries out is invaluable to those affected by natural disasters or conflict. They work tirelessly to ensure families and locals receive the help they need to remain safe and rebuild their lives.

To find out more about what ShelterBox does and how you could support their work, please visit www.shelterbox.org.

And the best way you can show your support is to visit these regions. Help these areas regenerate by building up tourism once more, and affirm the importance of our global community, because travel is a fundamental aspect of life.

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